Eiban

Properties

Material Characteristics

A silky textile naturally colored white. More durable than wool, while being more flexible.

Geology & Geography

The only area where significant amounts of the Eibanplants can be found in is the Principality of Ladonia, which features a unique soil structure. Small groups of plants can be found around the Richardian sphere of influence following the first expedition into the Rhendorian Empire. The strain used to grow pure Eiban was bred to only grow in Ladonia, allowing them to keep a quasi-monopoly on the world's supply.

Origin & Source

The Eibanplant grows capsules which can be refined into the yarn and fabric known as Eiban. It is the only part of the plant which can be used for anything commercially viable. Luckily the average plant can produce Eiban for around four years before dying off, easing the workload for the farmer.

History & Usage

Discovery

The possibility to use Eiban as a fabric first became apparent in 983 when a master weaver searched the Rhendorian Empire for a new cloth for the Emperor. He found the then undomesticated Eibanplant in Ladonia, whose capsules could be made into yarn of considerable quality. It was more durable and flexible than comparable fabrics, however, the look was suboptimal due to the mixture of pure Eiban with other, lesser, plant fiber.
Around the year 1152, the alchemist order of the Ladonian Principality was able to domesticate the Eibanplant, allowing them to harvest pure Eiban for the first time. Due to its amazing attributes the privilege of harvesting and selling it was to be sold by the crown and could only be given out for ten years at a time before the recipient had to reapply.

Everyday use

Eiban is more flexible than wool and leather, making it ideal for clothes used in a high-stress environment. However, it is also extremely rare and equally as customizable as wool and leather, if not even more than the latter. As such, it has found its place as the go-to good for nobles and wealthy merchants seeking durable and exotic clothes.
Some more practical-minded nobles may try to use it to strengthen their armor or order simple shirts to protect themselves from assassination attempts. The reasoning being that wearing it openly would make the assassin focus on areas not shielded by it, thus making it useless. However, the few tailors both talented enough and in possession of an Eiban trading license often refuse to create these, as they think that such work is both beneath them and the luxurious good they would have to use up.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Being the textile for nobility and the generally wealthy, any self-respecting member of either group will show off their Eiban whenever possible to prove that they are wealthy enough to afford it and prestigious enough to contract a competent tailor to create a piece of quality. While this behavior is mostly limited to Ladonia, a small part of the Rhendorian Empire, as well as a good chunk of the merchant elite of the Richardian Republic have also begun to use Eiban as a sign of their status.
While there is no tradition connected directly to it, it is custom in Ladonia to not wear Eiban in any gathering where the prince is present. This is rooted in the tradition that Eiban was originally a royal privilege and the nobility forgoing the possibility to wear theirs is seen as a sign of respect and humility towards the royal house.

Distribution

Trade & Market

To sell and buy Eiban on a commercial level, the trader needs a special Eiban license. As most Eiban is still produced in the Principality of Ladonia, it remains the primary source of these licenses. However, the Richardian Republic has made a deal with the Principality to also allow the local Richardian authorities in Coblan to sell these licenses.
Both the rarity of the product, as well as the small number of proper salesmen makes Eiban a luxury good found rarely in even the greatest Metropolises. Many beings may live their entire life without ever having seen a scrap of it. To them, it is more of a myth, as the suggestion of fabric better than wool or leather seems preposterous.

Law & Regulation

In the Principality of Ladonia wearing Eiban is strictly linked to one's social standing. No-one who is not part of the nobility or one of the better merchants houses who received the privilege is allowed to wear Eiban. Breaking the law may result in ten days of imprisonment or a fine of a tenth of the individuals' wealth. This is based in the cultural significance EIban holds in the principality.

Type

Textile

Value

Exceptional

Rarity

Extremely limited supply

Color

White